Thanks to the man who has all the boxing news, Dan Rafael of ESPN.com, we now know Wladimir Klitschko will definitely NOT be fighting IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua on December 10; nor will the 40-year-old ex-champ be squaring up with anyone on that date. Klitschko, who has had a history of pulling out of/delaying fights due to injury, has picked up another one; apparently to his calf.
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Eddie Hearn “not hopeful” of Klitschko-Joshua being made, names the other possibilities for AJ on Dec 10
Promoter Eddie Hearn is frustrated right now, and he is not at all convinced the fight that appeared so close to being made – Wladimir Klitschko Vs. Anthony Joshua – will actually happen this December as was planned/hoped. Speaking with Sky Sports this afternoon, Hearn said he is now waiting on the WBA, who will make a decision soon as to whether or not they will sanction Joshua against Klitschko.
Hearn, though, said he is “not hopeful,” and spoke of the growing rumours that suggest “Dr. Steel Hammer” will be back operating against Australia’s Lucas Browne on Dec 10 instead of against AJ.
Anthony Joshua will box in Manchester on December 10, “With or without Wladimir Klitschko”
With the seemingly close – in fact, tantalisingly so – Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko fight now looking doubtful due to the WBA’s indecision on sanctioning the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn has again began looking for the reigning IBF champ’s next challenger. Joshua, 17-0(17) will fight as planned on December 10 in Manchester, “with or without Wladimir Klitschko.”
Klitschko-Joshua hits a snag, Hearn exploring “alternative options” for December
The big, anticipated heavyweight title fight between former champ Wladimir Klitschko and reigning IBF titlist Anthony Joshua has hit a road bump in the form of the WBA not yet sanctioning the proposed December fight. Eddie Hearn, in speaking with Sky Sports today, explained how both fighters want the WBA belt to be on the line in the fight and until the organisation goes ahead and sanctions Klitschko-Joshua, the promoter says he will look at “alternative options” for AJ and his next fight.
Klitschko-Joshua agreed, official announcement expected this week
It seems fans can, at the very least, pencil the date of December 10 in their diary, with the date underlined for a massive heavyweight event. Eddie Hearn, speaking with BBC Radio 5 Live, said that the deal between the two fighters “is there” and that all that needs to be sorted out now is the sanctioning requests. Hearn said that as long as the governing bodies are happy, the fight WILL go ahead, likely in Manchester, this December.
David Haye: “Joshua beats Klitschko easily, all he needs is a fair referee”
Former WBA heavyweight champ David Haye, who was soundly out-pointed in a disappointing challenge of Wladimir Klitschko way back in 2011, says that should Anthony Joshua fight Klitschko next, it will be the 40-year-old ex-champ who is soundly beaten – maybe even disqualified! Speaking with Sky Sports, Haye said he feels Joshua “wins that fight easily.”
Klitschko-Joshua has not yet been made official, but promoter Eddie Hearn has said numerous times how the fight is “close” and an official announcement should be forthcoming soon. But Haye sees only one winner, and it’s the man he wants to fight; hopefully next summer at Wembley.
David Haye says Joshua-Klitschko is on, says the match-up reminds him of Ali’s ill-fated fight with Berbick
Though British promoter Eddie Hearn is at pains to insist how the huge Anthony Joshua-Wladimir Klitschko (or should that be the other war around, with “Dr. Steel Hammer’s” name being given top billing?) fight is “close” but not yet done, former champ David Haye has Tweeted a congratulatory message to the reigning IBF heavyweight belt-holder over having got the fight.
“Great to hear Joshua-Klitschko is done. Timing is everything & the time now is perfect for AJ. Reminds me of Ali-Berbick. #Father Time,” Haye wrote today.
Hearn says Joshua-Klitschko is “almost there,” puts an end to rumors that say Haye will face AJ next
While promoter Eddie Hearn will not jump the gun in prematurely announcing the big heavyweight match-up he really wants to make, in Wladimir Klitschko-Anthony Joshua, the Matchroom boss has squashed all rumors that, until today, continued to build, saying David Haye Vs. Joshua would happen next for both British stars.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Hearn said that, no, Haye (who recently tweeted that he will be fighting again on Dec 10, a possible date for Joshua-Klitschko if it is made) will NOT be next for the reigning IBF heavyweight champ.
Eddie Hearn teases: Fingers crossed we will have some good news next week that will blow your mind
Why is promoter Eddie Hearn smiling? Well, we won’t know until next week, but Hearn has gone on record as saying he hopes to have some huge news in the coming days regarding the next fight for Anthony Joshua, and that if things come off – things that currently have him smiling with optimism – we will be in store for “good news that will blow our minds.”
Speaking with ESPN.com, Hearn said that Wladimir Klitschko is now “favourite” to fight Joshua next, with the probable date being December 10 (interestingly, the same night David Haye is set to return to action according to his recent Tweet).
Fury Vs. Klitschko ……… an unfinished rivalry
Though nobody will ever say the first, and as it will now no doubt be, the only, meeting between heavyweights Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko produced a great fight, there was a potentially great rematch of a fight awaiting us, and maybe a memorable trilogy of a rivalry. But now, due to Fury’s plethora of out of the ring problems, this particular rivalry has ended in a frustratingly unresolved manner.
Who knows what would have happened had Fury and Klitschko met in a rematch of last November’s bout, won on points by Fury.